Concepts of Quality and the Provision of Periodontal Care: A Survey

This is a survey of various concepts of quality of care in the health care field and their application to periodontics. Definitions of quality care, measuring and improving quality, third party payment and quality of care, and the role of periodontists in managing quality are presented. The definitions of quality care include the following dimensions: access, appropriateness, technical quality, and the art of care. Examples of each of these dimensions are presented, and their implications for quality assessment are discussed. Emphasis is placed on appropriateness of care and the strengths and weaknesses of mechanisms for deriving evidence-based decision making. The use of randomized clinical trials (RCT), employing expert opinion such as consensus panels, and meta-analysis are discussed as they apply to appropriateness of periodontal treatment. Work in the area of technical quality of care (i.e., the third dimension of quality care) has resulted in the development of quality assurance guidelines. Examples of guidelines and practice parameters such as those developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by various dental specialties are presented. The fourth dimension of quality deals with the art of care. It focuses on the patient's participation in the process of care and the input of the provider in this interaction. The description of outcomes of care includes the concept of measuring clinical outcomes of treatment as well as efforts to measure the health and well-being of a patient. It deals with quality of life measures. Patient satisfaction is another outcome that is presented. Examples of these aspects of quality measurement are discussed. These concepts and measures are presented within the context of a quality assurance program. The steps used to assess and assure quality are outlined. Examples of provider and patient profiles are presented, along with a discussion on how they are used in a quality assurance system. Lastly, the role of the periodontist in quality of care is presented, emphasizing the efforts that have already been made as well as the leadership role that the periodontist has in influencing the profession of dentistry. The advent of managed care and its implications for the quality of periodontal treatment and patient management are discussed using situations obtained from dental plans.